Youville: Helping kids build online safety skills this summer and school year

These last days of summer can present opportunities to spend more time with your kids. If you’re talking with your 8-12 year-olds about making good decisions while they’re online, the FTC has a free tool called Youville to help. Youville is an imaginary town where Youbies live. The Claud causes chaos in town and as you and your kids work to save the Youbies, you’ll get through activities designed to help them learn things like: What information is personal and how to protect it What to consider before they post something online How to spot and avoid scams What to do if someone uses bullying language online Youville has ready-to-use fun activities to help kids of those ages develop skills to be safer online. Do your kids like solving puzzles and taking mini adventures? Coloring, cutting, and gluing? They can do all of that with the materials at ftc.gov/Youville , while simultaneously learning some good online habits. To use Youville: Download and print the activity sheets. Go through them with your kids during downtime at home or while traveling. Plan discussion times using the lesson plans. Each lesson includes a 10-minute mini lesson with questions to start a conversation. Do an arts and crafts project where kids color and cut out blades to attach to their JumboFan. (Check out Youville to find out how that fits into the story!) Order FREE Youville bookmarks for kids’ summer reading, or take some to your library for the parents and kids in your community. The tools at ftc.gov/Youville are easy to use and can help you give your kids a way to talk about good online habits, how to navigate situations that come up in digital spaces, and when to find a parent or trusted adult for help. Go ahead, check it out!